A blog about hiking around the Midwest and beyond

Top 10 Midwest Waterfalls

One of my passions is waterfall hunting or “waterfalling”. There is a something about a waterfall that shows you how powerful nature can be, but also how beautiful it can be at the same time. I have compiled a list of my top 10 favorite waterfalls around the Midwest that I have been to. I am sure there are a lot of other ones that can be added to this list one day when I make the trip, but for now, here is the list. Be sure to click on the link to the original blog post to see more information and an exact location for each waterfall.

Note: Some people have said that the states I chose are not all in the Midwest. Ok I get you. Being from St. Louis, I tend to think that anything within a days drive is the Midwest. Not so. But I hope you enjoy the list anyway. Maybe it should be called “Top 10 Waterfalls within 8 hours of St. Louis”. 🙂

While Rock Island State Park is home of the Big Falls on the Caney Fork River, there is a hidden waterfall on the trail down to the gorge that flows freely from the bluff overhead. It is absolutely magical.

Starved Rock State Park has about 10 canyons with seasonal waterfalls, but my favorite waterfall is in Wildcat Canyon. This time, we were lucky enough to see a double waterfall. My other favorite waterfall here is in French Canyon.

So this waterfall is created by the Lake Kindcaid spillway in southern Illinois. It is beautiful and you can even hike up the side of the waterfall which makes this place so much more amazing. Be sure to check this place out if you are near the Shawnee National Forest.

I hope that this list inspires you to take a trip and see what nature has to offer! If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks!

Hmm…good question. While none of these have large pool as the bottom, I would say your best bet for swimming would be Rutledge Falls. I remember the water being really cold though! Also, at Rock Island State Park, I saw a lot of people swimming in the small pools of the gorge. Hope this helps!